Just Stay at Home

Bonjour Friends~
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Kelli and I in the Tea Salon

Inside the boutique

Mmmm...mmmm! These look irresistible! The macarons are delish and made by a local French woman with imported ingredients & made exclusively for the tea salon. I just acquired her phone number and I wonder if she will make some for a party!

While I was strolling around the picturesque streets lined with antique stores and old buildings, I realized that after spending the afternoon with Kelli she made me realize a lot of things. After hearing Kelli speak French and talk about old haunts, I realized that I had forgotten so much of that beautiful language. I was totally insecure about even attempting to speak a language I had used exclusively for 3 years (although a very long time ago). I need to start practicing and re-learning my French!

I also realized that the Paris that I know is most likely not the Paris I will visit again. So much has probably changed over the years and I am such a different person now. The things that interested me then are not at all the same as what would interest me now. How did I never think of this before? I would have a much deeper appreciation for the beautiful city now. Well, that's just more motivation to get me to really push hard and try and go to Paris with Claudia in August/September! Now I'm extra determined! It did make me a little bit sad to miss Paris so much and come to the realization that I had forgotten so much. Maybe a trip down memory lane with my old photos will help.

This dress form covered in bows was in front of a shop owned by two fun sisters! I had to post this because it reminded me of Sande from A Gift Wrapped Life! So pretty!

Shopping was great and I found tons of things I wanted to bring home. I was very good and only purchased a pair of....you guessed it...light fixtures! I'll save that pic for last though! :)

I was walking along and saw this plaque on the ground. ??? It made me smile :)

Such pretty buildings and homes where everywhere I turned.

This store had TONS of old windows, doors, and hardware. Dreamy to say the least.

I instantly fell in love with her! She was some sort of mini broom, her skirt was made of the bristles!

This trophy was so pretty in person. It had to be at least four feet tall.

I'm a sucker for feathers

This hat was too cute and in it's original box, never worn! The original receipt was tucked into the tissue paper as well. Darn if I didn't look to see how much it cost back in the day!

This kiosk had tons of sheet music but I just about fell over when I saw this beautiful cover.

She was tucked away in the downstairs portion of a store behind ridiculous amounts of furniture and random stuff. She is so pretty she should be out showing off! :)

It was love at first site for me! I love the Orange sherbet tattered velvet on this settee. I wrestled with the idea of giving a good and loving home for quite some time.

Finally!!! My Chandelier illness made me do it! I got in trouble when I got home from the hubby but I don't care! Feathers, crystal, lighting, and a great memory of a wonderful day and meeting a new friend! How could I resist? I don't know if it was the feathers, an overdose of imported tea, the euphoria of spending a child free day antiquing, or having just met Kelli, but I had to take these home with me! I forgot to pick up some macarons on my to the car so this is a small consolation!

I would love to get together again with Kelli and if anybody else who wants to join us! We can meet here (it's right next to the tea salon). It's called PJ's abbey and it is a wonderful restaurant that used to be a church! They say eating there is "heavenly"! It is so cute inside and it's quite an experience.

Until next time!

xoxo

Judith~

I have for some time, been reminicing about taking tea at the famous Laduree Tea Salon. There is nothing like dressing up like a lady, gathering your best girlfriends, spending a ridiculous amount of money on Violet tea, some Chocolate a la feuille d'or macarons, (who doesn't love Gold leafed desserts?) and sharing good stories. Makes me wish I was back in Paris. *Sigh*

Laduree inside of Harrod's ~ London

Louis-Ernest Ladurée, founded the bakery on the Rue Royale, in 1862. After burning down in a fire in 1871 a new pastry shop was built at the same location.

From the movie Marie Antoinette

My favorite picture ~ The ribbons at Laduree

Laduree is famous not just for their macarons but for their other equally impressive pastries. There are so many and they are so delicious! One can also get sandwiches, omelettes, salads, cafe, tea, and so much more there. Upon seeing one of their wedding cakes, I vowed to renew my vows with my husband one day in the Collinade in Versailles garden's with a Laduree cake! I was only able to visit the Champs Elysees but I am a devoted fan! And, for all of you fans out there...I hear they are coming to the States soon.

The window

OK, I do not cook, as you might know, however, I did find this recipe for all of you having macaron withdrawls! Who knows, it might be fun!

London

~Mix almonds sugar and cocoa powder in food processor until you have a smooth fine powder

~Place the eggwhites in the powder. Beat rapidly and delicately (you can tell this is french, right?)with a wooden spoon to obtain a homogenous mixture

~With a wooden spatula, stir downward toward the middle of the mixture and back up the sides of the again, constantly turning the bowl, until the mixture is even, light and fluid.

~Using a parchment bag with about a 1cm tip (as you would for icing), squeeze

the small macarons on wax paper.

~cook for 11-12 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees on a baking sheet, leaving the door slightly ajar. (I'm not sure what they are called but you should use a sheet that is insulated with an inner air layer)

~remove from the oven and with the aide of a glass, slip some water between the wax paper and the baking sheet while gently lifting off the macarons. The water vapor will allow them to release from the paper when they cool.

~Pour the creme over the finely chopped bitter chocolate. Add butter at a temp of at least 60 degrees C (104F). Let sit and cool to ambient temperature. The original doesn't say to mix, but I'm assuming you need to blend to make the ganache.

~Garnish the macaron shells with a layer of ganache about 3/4 millimeters thick and sandwich the two halves together.

~Advice: Let the macarons chill in the refrigerator for 24 hours before eating (if you have the will, it is REALLY worth it!)This recipe is really delicate, but incredibly delicious!

Ingredients
275 grams powdered sugar

140 grams powdered almonds

4 egg whites

25 grams cocoa powder

325 grams bitter chocolate

300 grams heavy creme

75 grams butter (unsalted)
Recipe credit Ph. Andrieu (Laduree) translated by Gerri Davis

I wonder if they'll deliver to my home!?!


La nouveauté Automne Hiver 2008 : Le Macaron Mangue Jasmin

Les parfums permanents : Chocolat - Chocolat amer - Vanille - Café - Pétales de Rose - Pistache - Framboise - Cassis violette - Caramel au beurre salé - Griottes - Fleur d’Oranger - Réglisse.

Les parfums d'été :Noix de coco - Menthe Glaciale - Grenadine.

Les parfums d’hiver : Citron - Marron - Praliné

Les Créations spéciales & éphémères : Abricot Gingembre - Muscovado - Barbapapa - Havana - Ambre blanc - Rose Indienne - Anis - Orange Safran - Muguet - Pain d’épice - Fraise coquelicot - Poivre de Java - Citron vert Gingembre - Rosanis - Epices & fruits moelleux
~From Laduree~

Don't forget that every season there is a new flavor macaron! I wonder if my husband will buy that as a reason to go more often!?!

Bisou Mon Amis!